Pouring spout



Jan. 25, 1938/ A. S. ROUGH POURING SPOUT Filed Oct. 7, 1955 Q By A llomey Patented Jan. 25, 1938 *um'rao STATES PATENT o1=1=1c1z rename SPOUT Aim 8. Rough, Evansville, Ind. Application October 1, 1935, s mi No. 43,955 7 Claims. (cram-=23) This invention relates to a novel and improved pouring spout which is especially, but not necessarily, adapted for use in connection with paint and liquid commodity cam of the type utilizing the snap-in friction type. lid, that is the type of lid which includes a marginal annular rib receivable in a correspondingly shaped retention 'chanv nel.

It is without a doubt the concensus of opinion of those using cans of this particular removable lid type that pouring of the contents therefrom challenges ones patience and promotes a nasty waste of paint or other contents 'of the can. It stands to reason that when the ribbed cover or lid is removed the channeled annulus around the mouth or top of the can obstructs free pouring. No matter how carefully the can is handled, a certain amount of the material collects in the channel and interferes not 'onlywith the replacement of the lid, to-cause subsequent sticking, but breeds unsanitary conditions to say nothing of soilage and inconvenience. I

With this in mind, I have found it expedient and practicable to be able to design a neatand economical expeditiously usable pouring spout peculiarly designed and fitted to fulfill the tee quirements of an article of this type on a can of the form mentioned, the spout though not being infallible, possessing the requisite features of certitude to justify its endorsement and unqualifieduse by the trade.

In keeping with an urgent desire to accomplish requisite results in a safe and. reliable manner, I have perfected an ingenious attachment susceptible of being readily installed and removed, said attachment, when in position providing just the thing to permit the contents of the can to be easily'poured and partially'or completely emptied into another receptacle.

As will be hereinafter evident, an outstanding object of the invention is to generally improve upon prior patented and marketed pouring spout attachments by providing one which accomplishes the desired result through the instrumentality of a specific structure embodying an arcuate base member of general flange-like form having a downwardly extending bead or segmental attaching rib which is adapted for insertion in a circumferential groove in the can annulus, the body portion of the spout being in the nature of a visor-like or concave plate to facilitate pouring.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in section, as well as in elevation, showing a fragmentary portion of a conventional paint can of the type described illustrating the improved spout attachment in place. 5

Figure 2 is a top plan view showing the inverted visor style spout attachment utilized.

In order to appreciate the invention, one must familiarize himself with the style of can already referred to. The can is shown in Figure 1 and is denoted by the numeral 3 and has the usual top fitting which includes an annular channel 4 disposed concentrically and inwardly of a connecting web 5, which web functions as a rest for the marginal edge of a lidor cover (not shown). The inner wall of the channel has a down-turned reinforced edge portion which may be described as a bead 6. These are all conventional features and it is necessary to make the attachment to conform thereto. 2

The attachment is unitarily denoted by the numeral I and comprises a piece of sheet material which is preferably metal though may be some other material such as hard rubber or even appropriately constructed paper-board. The idea is to utilize a simple and inexpensive device for the purpose. The major or concave plate portion 8 which is of general visor configuration constitutes the pouring spout. This is provided at its inner attaching end with a substantially arcuate flange or base member 9 which is in effect a feeder in that it initially feeds the liquid into the spout proper. The inner edge portion of the base forming flange terminates in a down-bent hooked lip III which is curved and conforms to and fits nicely around the head 6 so as to serve as a shield or a guard and to thereby better deliver the liquid into the spout when the can'is held in tilted pouring position. The depending adapter unit for holding the part I in place may be of rubber or equivalent material. It is attached to the arcuate base flange 9 that is between the hooked lip l0 and the spout 8 and is so shaped and positioned as to serve its intended purposes. This adapter includes a downwardly extending part-circular rib or bead I I designed to fit snugly in the channel 4 to serve as a retention or keeper element. The adapter also includes a right angularly disposed outstanding shoulder l2 also of part-circular form, this being arranged to rest upon the ledge or web ,5. It functions as a stabilizing element. The two parts thus serve as an ideal means for securely and expeditiously attaching the device I in place.

Manifestly, a simple and practicable attachment of this type provides an ideal means to accomplish the desired purposes. I desire to emphasize in particular, the lip l which provides the desired'shielding and intake properties for the liquid, moreover it aids in placing or guiding the adapter into place and coacts therewith in promoting requisite stability. Then, too, I would emphasize the incorporation in the structure of the inclined flange 9 which bridges over the stock features of the can top and aids in delivering the paint or liquid into the chute proper. Of primary importance however, is the fact that the spout as a whole is adapted to conform to the stock features and the adapter is made to also cooperate with the existing details, whereby to provide assured efliciency in use.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding oi the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawing. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of in-- vention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. A paint can pouring spout in the form of an attachment for said can comprising a sheet metal spout provided at its inner end with an attaching portion including an inclined flange adapted to span the customary accommodation and retention channel constituting a permanent part of said can, said flange being formed with a downturned guard and retaining lip, and separate keeper means for sustaining the flange and spout in place.

2. In a structural assemblage of the class described, in combination, a can of the type referred to including a lid supporting and retention annulus embodying a keying channel spaced concentrically and inwardly from the wall of the can and joined thereto by way of an intervening connective web, a detachable pouring spout, an adapter unit connected to said spout and fashioned for cooperation with said channel and web, said spout embodying a pouring chute and an inclined delivery flange joined to said chute, said flange terminating, at its inner end in a downbent hooked lip snugly engageable with the adjacent wall of the channel to facilitate delivery of the contents of the can into the chute by way of the flange.

3. A pouring spout attachment for paint cans of the class described comprising a spout proper provided at its inner end with an inclined flange having a downturned guard hook, and an adapter and attaching unit connected with the flange and disposed outwardly of said hook, said adapter unit including a segmental rib to fit into an existing channel, and an outstanding laterally directed part-circular check element adapted to abut an underlying marginal web portion of the can-top.

4. In a structural assemblage of the class described, in combination, a can of the type described including a lid-supporting and retention annulus having a keeper rib channel concentrically and inwardly spaced from the wall of the can and joined, thereto by way 01' an intervening connective web, a detachable pouring spout, and a temporary sustaining and retention adapter unit secured to the inner edge portion of the underside. of the pouring spout, the said adapter unit including an arcuate keeper rib fitting removably in the aforesaid channel and further including an outstanding flange-like rest seated firmly on said web.

5. A paint can pouring spout in the form of an attachment for a conventional can of the type including a lid-supporting channel-shaped annulus, said spout comprising a sheet of material bent into appropriate shape at its outer pouring end, said sheet material having its inner end portion fashioned with an inclined flange to span the channel portion of the annulus, said flange terminating in a lip designed to contact and rest loosely on an underlying portion of the annulus, and a depending keeper rib secured to the underside of the flange in spaced parallelism with said retention lip, said rib being intended for removable reception in the channel.

6. A spout for cans, comprising an arcuate base member having a downwardly extending bead adapted for insertion in a circumferential groove in a can, and a concave plate secured to said base member and providing a pouring spout.

7. A spout for cans comprising an arcuate base member having on its under side a bead adapted for insertion in 'a circumferential groove in a can top, a concave plate on the upper side of said base member and extending from the periphery of said base member and providing a pouring spout, said plate being extended inwardly of the inner portion of said arcuate base and curved downwardly to engage the inner edge of the groove in the can top.

ALVAN S. ROUGH. 

